Der, Bennett Trying To Solve Raft Dispute

No agreement has been reached to head off a possible contempt-of-court order against a Lehigh Gorge rafting company operated by a local businessman.

But yesterday a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Resources said the department hopes the dispute can be resolved without going back to court.

On Friday, Joseph J. Bennett, a Bethlehem Township man who operates Outdoor Challengers Ltd., a rafting company along the upper Lehigh River in White Haven, met with DER officials at the Bureau of State Parks office in Harrisburg.

DER is asking Commonwealth Court to find the company in contempt on the grounds that Outdoor Challengers has not abided by the requirements of a court order issued in March. The company, DER alleges, has been violating regulations limiting rafting through the undeveloped Lehigh Gorge State Park and has ignored repeated warnings from DER.

A hearing on DER's contempt petition has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Aug. 13 in Commonwealth Court in Harrisburg.

Bennett requested the Friday meeting in hopes that additional formal court action could be avoided.

Yesterday, DER attorney William Shakely told The Morning Call no agreement was reached Friday afternoon. But he declined to comment on details of the meeting because negotiations are at a "sensitive stage."

David Mashek, DER's assistant press secretary, expressed a similar opinion: "We do believe the case can be resolved. We are hopeful it can be resolved (without going back to court) and would not want to jeopardize those negotiations."

Among those attending the Friday meeting was William C. Forrey, director of state parks.

Mashek and Shakely promised details of any agreement that may be reached with Bennett's company will be made public.

Bennett is an executive with the Bennett auto dealerships in Allentown.